The KFC T20 Big Bash final will see sparks flying as the Southern Redbacks take on the Victorian Bushrangers at Adelaide.

The two finalists have automatically booked slots in the Airtel Champions League Twenty20.

The Bushrangers know a thing or two about winning this tournament- having won four out of the last five finals, finishing second best last season.

On the other hand, the Redbacks, who have looked good this season, losing only one game on the road to Airtel CL T20, will look to end their domestic drought.

The Victorians will miss the services of their captain, overseas players and two front-line bowlers.   

Skipper Cameron White and fast bowlers Clint McKay and Peter Siddle will miss Saturday’s encounter as the trio has been included in Australia's one-day squad for the first two matches against Pakistan.

David Hussey will lead the team in White's absence on Saturday.

Overseas imports, Dwayne Bravo and Ross Taylor will sit out the title clash as well. West Indies all-rounder, Bravo, who did not feature in Victoria’s last encounter, has been sidelined due to a fractured thumb, while New Zealand middle order mainstay Taylor has gone back home to fulfil domestic commitments.
 
Making up for the missing stars will be explosive left-handed opener Rob Quiney and the aggressive Aiden Blizzard. Both southpaws were named in the 12-member squad.

The Bushrangers, who suffered a 91 run loss at the hands of Southern Australia, on January 7, will look to avenge their ‘embarrassing’ defeat and settle scores.

The Redbacks will also be without their star foreign recruit, Shahid Afridi, who was named in the Pakistan ODI squad as they take on Australia in five one-dayers.

Southern Australia will rely heavily on Kieron Pollard, who has been in exceptional form. Captain Graham Manou has been instrumental in providing good opening spells with Daniel Harris.

In the middle order, Mark Cosgrove has chipped in with crucial runs to help Redbacks out of dire situations.

Aaron O’Brien and Shaun Tait have led the Redbacks’ bowling department. Tait has scalped eight wickets in the tournament so far. The fast bowler is expected to finish the tournament as the highest wicket-taker. He is one wicket shy of the leading wicket-taker Aaron Heal at nine.

The Victorian Bushrangers’ journey to the final

December 28      Queensland Bulls v Victorian Bushrangers
                         Victorian Bushrangers won by 3 runs (D/L method)

January 2           Victoria Bushrangers v New South Wales Blues
                         Victoria Bushrangers won by 6 wickets

January 7           Southern Redbacks v Victoria Bushrangers
                        Southern Redbacks won by 91 runs

January 10         Western Warriors v Victoria Bushrangers
                        Western Warriors won by 24 runs

January 15         Victoria Bushrangers v Tasmanian Tigers
                        Victoria Bushrangers won by 9 wickets

January 19         Queensland Bulls v Victoria Bushrangers (Preliminary final)
                         Victoria Bushrangers won by six wickets.


The Southern Redbacks’ journey to the final

December 29       Western Australia v Southern Redbacks
                          Southern Redbacks won by 29 runs

January 3            Southern Redbacks v Queensland Bulls
                         Southern Redbacks won by 4 wickets

January 7            Southern Redbacks v Victorian Bushrangers
                         Southern Redbacks won by 91 runs

January 12          Southern Redbacks v Tasmanian Tigers
                         Southern Redbacks won by 23 runs

January 17          New South Wales Blues v Southern Redbacks
                         New South Wales Blues won by 8 wickets

Gautam Bhimani speaks fluent Australian. See what he has to offer at the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. Trivia. Fun. Videos. Aussie Talk. Get on it, maite.